Sojourners - dogmahttp://www.sojo.net/taxonomy/term/4102/0
en3 Reasons I Wouldn't Send My Daughter to a Christian Schoolhttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2014/10/30/3-reasons-i-wouldnt-send-my-daughter-christian-school
<p style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;">In the past few months I have come to a rather substantial conclusion: I cannot slow down time. Try as I might, my oldest daughter is now four and a half and is practically sprinting her way to "big kid school."&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;">My wife and I have been discussing this next phase of our daughter’s life. Sadly, school districts are falling into massive debt, being subjected to low performance in the classroom and even apathy in educating the next generation. Schools have become too focused on state test scores and benchmarks and have removed the art of learning from many classrooms.</span></p><p style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;">Now private schools are becoming more mainstream, offering alternatives to public education, more flexibility, and more opportunities to the students. For many private schools there is a common element: they are associated with a religious group or Christian denomination. These schools started out as an extension of the ministry of the church as a way to respond to the needs of the community. But over time many popped up as a rejection of the educational system and their "removal" of God or prayer the school. Many parents see disconnect between the mainstream educational system and their Christian households.</p><p style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;">But I see a certain danger in some of these Christian alternatives. It might sound counterintuitive for an ordained Christian minister to say, but there are a few reasons I would not send my daughter to&nbsp;<em>some</em>&nbsp;Christian schools.</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2014/10/30/3-reasons-i-wouldnt-send-my-daughter-christian-school" target="_blank">read more</a></p>creationismdogmaEducationEvolutionGod's Politicsinstitution of marriageMarriageprivate schoolpublic school systemquestioningsame-sex marriageFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceThu, 30 Oct 2014 17:07:55 +0000Evan Dolive61296 at http://www.sojo.net8 Ways to Survive Christian Culturehttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2013/10/09/8-ways-survive-christian-culture
<p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Christian culture, along with the spiritual leaders, churches, institutions, communities, and other entities it consists of, are supposed to make our faith stronger. But in many cases the opposite happens, and it actually&nbsp;<i>causes</i>&nbsp;our faith to die. In religious environments often surrounded by cynicism, hypocrisy, hurtfulness, and disappointment, it’s easy to give up on Christianity. Here’s how to prevent spiritual burnout:</p><p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><b>Avoid Legalism</b></p><p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Historically, Christianity has always struggled with legalism, where churches often forced beliefs and practices on people with domineering power. Legalistic groups thrive on strict rules, ruthlessness, enforced doctrines, and authoritarian judgment.</p><p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Various agendas — that are valued more than the loving gospel of Christ — are promoted and pushed onto people. And it wasn’t that long ago (in fact, it&nbsp;<i>still&nbsp;</i>exists) that American believers were expected to be anti-gay, conservative, pro-choice, anti-evolution fundamentalists.</p><p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If fear, condemnation, and shame are used as spiritual weapons to gain power, influence, and control — run!</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2013/10/09/8-ways-survive-christian-culture" target="_blank">read more</a></p>adaptibilitycertaintychangechristian cultureChristianitydenominationsdogmaFaithGod's PoliticslegalismReligionFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceWed, 09 Oct 2013 11:00:41 +0000Stephen Mattson50747 at http://www.sojo.netReplacing Faith with Curiosityhttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2013/10/03/replacing-faith-curiosity
<p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i>Every day, my previously stable faith is replaced with a little more hungry curiosity. I consider this progress.</i></b></p><p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I posted this brief statement on my Facebook and Twitter accounts yesterday and promptly received quite a bit of interest in return.&nbsp;Not surprising, really, that my typical readership would resonate with such a claim, but I also found some surprising affirmations from those I would not have expected to appreciate&nbsp;my sentiments.</p><p style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I write fairly often about moving away from emphasis on a propositional faith and toward one that is more implicitly lived out in our daily experience. Said another way, I would much rather have the teachings and values shared by Jesus revealed through my actions and through what people see in me, rather than simply through any particular rhetoric that I offer them as an act of persuasion, or even coercion. This is also selfishly motivated, as I am increasingly convinced that, whereas a faith centered on the proclamation and defense of particular statements is one that lends itself to inertia, a way of life that reveals your values without explicitly having to state them is both more compelling to others and more fulfilling for ourselves.</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2013/10/03/replacing-faith-curiosity" target="_blank">read more</a></p>certaintycuriositydogmaDoubtFaithGod's PoliticsReligionFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceThu, 03 Oct 2013 14:17:57 +0000Christian Piatt50682 at http://www.sojo.net13 Questions All Christians Eventually Ask Themselveshttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2013/06/25/13-questions-all-christians-eventually-ask-themselves
<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">During the Christian spiritual journey, followers of Christ are forced to eventually face some basic faith-related questions. Here are a few of the most common ones:</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>1) What is salvation?&nbsp;</b></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What does salvation really mean? When does it happen and is it permanent?&nbsp;Do you choose your own salvation or is it predestined?&nbsp;Is everyone saved or just a select few?&nbsp;</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The idea of salvation is extremely complex, and our concept of it directly influences how we live, evangelize, and interact with the people around us.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2013/06/25/13-questions-all-christians-eventually-ask-themselves" target="_blank">read more</a></p>catechismChristianityChristiansdoctrinedogmaDoubtFaithGod's PoliticsQuestionsReligionreligious questionsSalvationSpiritualityFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceTue, 25 Jun 2013 17:10:41 +0000Stephen Mattson49186 at http://www.sojo.netWhat Do We Believe: Affirmations of Faith and Invitations for Expressionhttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/10/08/what-do-we-believe-affirmations-faith-and-invitations-expression
<p class="p1">A “creed” is an authoritative expression of belief, and within many religious communities, such statements generally emphasize a core affirmation of faith.&nbsp;</p><p class="p1">In addition to articulating primary convictions, creeds are used to oppose alleged falsehoods.&nbsp;For example, the Nicene Creed, composed in the fourth century, is a Christian proclamation that – among other things – affirmed the divine nature of Jesus, and was thus directed against those who believed otherwise.&nbsp;The Apostle’s Creed, developed in the first or second century, emphasized the humanity of Jesus, as some groups rejected such notions.&nbsp;While the history of Christianity is filled with numerous creeds, the Apostle’s Creed and Nicene Creed continue to serve as primary declarations of faith for millions of Christians around the world.&nbsp;</p><p class="p1">...</p><p class="p1">The following is my attempt to draft a contextual creed. In it I sought to stay within the Trinitarian formula, I stayed within the self-imposed length restrictions (it contains 164 words!), my draft has developed over the course of time, and because I fully acknowledge its many shortcomings and limitations, I will surely alter it may times into the future:</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/10/08/what-do-we-believe-affirmations-faith-and-invitations-expression" target="_blank">read more</a></p>apostles creedBeliefChristianitycreedsdoctrinedogmaGod's Politicsnicene creedtenants of faithFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceMon, 08 Oct 2012 14:59:06 +0000Brian E. Konkol44340 at http://www.sojo.netChurch No More: Part 4 — I Don't Want to Go Backhttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/08/03/church-no-more-part-4-%E2%80%94%C2%A0i-dont-want-go-back
<p>I love the Church. I have literally been going to church my whole life — that is, until two months ago.</p><p>Then I stopped cold turkey. You can read about it in my post "<a _fcksavedurl="http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/06/12/church-no-more-part-1-%E2%80%94-walking-away-church" href="http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/06/12/church-no-more-part-1-%E2%80%94-walking-away-church">Walking Away From Church</a>."<br><br> Masses of people responded. It astounded me. Most ministers expressed&nbsp;concern saying things like, “My Brother, I am worried that you may be on a dangerous journey,” or, “I fear you may lose your faith.”</p><p>Frankly, what I heard them saying was, “Faith is so fragile it needs the Church to enforce it,” which only made me more certain I was making a remarkably healthy spiritual choice.<br><br> Former church-going folk frequently told me things like, “There is a large disconnect between the 'Church' of today and the teachings of Jesus,” and “I have found God in a dynamic, deep way and I love God so much more and for real now than when I was unwittingly trying to fit in with my church culture.”<br><br> I've been away from church for two months now and I have to say, I am more at peace than I ever have been. My faith is stronger than it ever has been. My family life is healthier than it ever has been. My desire to seek out God and follow the teachings of Jesus is stronger than it ever has been.&nbsp;<br><br> I&nbsp;do not want to go back to Church because life outside of Church is better. It just is. There's no dogma complicating the path to God. It is more than refreshing to escape the games church-folk play with the intent of establishing control and “rightness” on their part; it is life-giving to escape it.</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/08/03/church-no-more-part-4-%E2%80%94%C2%A0i-dont-want-go-back" target="_blank">read more</a></p>ChristianityChurchCommunitydogmaFaithGodGod's PoliticsleavingSBNRspiritual but not religiousFri, 03 Aug 2012 14:53:56 +0000Mark Sandlin40469 at http://www.sojo.netThesis vs Jesus: When it Comes to Faith, Which Matters More?http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/03/23/thesis-vs-jesus-when-it-comes-faith-which-matters-more
<p><strong>Galatians 3:22: Is it the faith of Jesus or faith in Jesus that’s the key?</strong><br><br> <strong>Amy Reeder Worley:</strong> It is both the faith of and in Jesus that lead to salvation, which is another word for “liberation.”...<br><br><strong>Pablo A. Jiménez:</strong> I have always preferred to speak about the faith of Jesus than about faith in Christ. Most people find this shocking and many have tried to correct my theological statements. However, I persist in speaking about the faith of Jesus....</p><p><strong>Christian Piatt:</strong> I would tend to say it depends on whom you ask, but based on my personal experience, maybe it has more to do with when you ask someone such a question about their understanding of Jesus....</p><p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2012/03/23/thesis-vs-jesus-when-it-comes-faith-which-matters-more" target="_blank">read more</a></p>doctrinedogmaFaithgalatiansGod's PoliticsGraceJesustheoryFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceFri, 23 Mar 2012 15:09:44 +0000Christian Piatt37503 at http://www.sojo.netAustin's Autumn (Nonfiction) List: Pete Rollins, Part 2http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2011/09/22/austins-autumn-nonfiction-list-pete-rollins-part-2
I wrote yesterday of Peter Rollins' new book Insurrection.<p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2011/09/22/austins-autumn-nonfiction-list-pete-rollins-part-2" target="_blank">read more</a></p>AdamadultsamazonArtAutumnBookBooksBooksBookscandidatechoiceCIACulturedogmaFamilyfamily membersfatherGodGod's PoliticsGreedhigh school teacherHuffingtonhuffington postinsurrectionMediamotivationNew YorkNew York Timesnews mediaNPRopinionparentspartyphilosophypowerful thingpunditsReligiousrollinssean hannitySinsojournerSojournersSpiritualityTelevisionTheologyTimetv hostswisdomWorkCultureCulture WatchFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeaceThu, 22 Sep 2011 19:05:34 +0000Austin Carty33999 at http://www.sojo.netChristian Militias and Litmus Testshttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2010/04/06/christian-militias-and-litmus-tests
<p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2010/04/06/christian-militias-and-litmus-tests" target="_blank">read more</a></p>Americaamerican christiansbiblicalborderBrian McLarencalvinistCatholicCatholic ChurchchoiceChristChristianityChurchcivil warConfessiondisciplinedogmaFaithFoodGlobalGodGod's PoliticsgospelgovernmentGracehateHealth CarehutareeImmigrantinterpretationisaiahJesusJusticeliteral interpretationlitmus testLukeMigrantsmilitia groupMoralityN.T. WrightNonviolenceoppressedPastorspointing fingerPoliticsPrayerPrisonReligionreligionsReligiousRevelationScripturestrangersystemTheologytraditionViolenceWomenWorshipFaith and SpiritualityLife and PeacePeace and NonviolenceTue, 06 Apr 2010 20:00:11 +0000Julie Clawson29678 at http://www.sojo.netTea Party Militias?: Telling Mainstream Conservatives from Right Wing Extremistshttp://www.sojo.net/blogs/2010/03/04/tea-party-militias-telling-mainstream-conservatives-right-wing-extremists
<p><a href="http://www.sojo.net/blogs/2010/03/04/tea-party-militias-telling-mainstream-conservatives-right-wing-extremists" target="_blank">read more</a></p>ActivismBankscnn pollCongressConservativeConspiracy TheoriesDemocratDemocratsdogmaeconomic meltdownEconomicsextremist groupsextremist organizationsfederal governmentGod's Politicsgovernmentintelligencemainstream conservatismmark potokpolitical fantasyPowerRacial and Social JusticeRacismradical ideasradical rightregulationRepublicansouthern poverty law centersuspiciontea partiesTea PartyWall StreetEconomic JusticeFaith and PoliticsThu, 04 Mar 2010 22:00:49 +0000Alan Bean29453 at http://www.sojo.net